The Children's Trust Joint Committee met on Wednesday 22 April 2026 to discuss the financial position of the Northamptonshire Children's Trust for the 2025-2026 financial year. The committee noted a significant forecast outturn pressure of over £27 million, largely driven by increased demand and costs in placements, particularly residential, secure, and baby and parent assessments. The committee unanimously agreed to note this forecast outturn position and the resulting pressures on both councils.

Northamptonshire Children's Trust 2025-2026 Forecast Position and Savings

The committee received an update on the financial performance of the Northamptonshire Children's Trust for the 2025-2026 financial year, based on forecasts as at the end of February 2026. The agreed contract sum for the year was £185,651,000, which, with approved change controls, increased to just over £191 million. However, the Trust is now forecasting an outturn of £213 million, representing a net pressure to the councils of just over £27 million.

The primary drivers for this financial pressure are identified as rising demand and costs within placements, specifically residential, secure, and baby and parent assessments. Other contributing factors include additional care packages and staffing costs. These challenges are described as reflecting a wider national picture within children's services, including market fragility and a lack of sufficient placements, and are not unique to Northamptonshire.

The Trust had a savings programme of £12.2 million for the year. As of period 11, just over £7 million of these savings had been delivered. However, several key savings, particularly those linked to joint transformation activities such as early health, care leaver accommodation, and enhanced fostering, are now categorised as red and are unlikely to be achieved within the current financial year.

The recommendation before the committee was to note the forecast outturn position and the resulting pressures on both councils to maintain appropriate financial oversight of the Trust's ownership and commissioning arrangements.

Councillor Graham Cheatley highlighted the difficult financial position and asked for an explanation of the mitigations being put in place. Claire Edwards explained that mitigations would involve working with the Trust on transformation programmes, specifically T20 programmes for North and West Northamptonshire, and ensuring collaborative arrangements and a data-driven approach to understanding demand pressures.

Councillor Mark Arnull acknowledged the report and noted that these pressures would continue into the current financial year, with factors such as remand care adding unforeseen burdens. He emphasised that many of these pressures were beyond the control of the council members and the public.

Councillor Martin Griffiths reiterated the commitment to the young people of Northamptonshire and the Children's Trust, noting that while there was more to be done financially, the work on T20 priorities was significant. He expressed his commitment to his role as a corporate parent.

The committee unanimously voted to note the forecast outturn position and the financial pressures.